Spare tyre health risk - NO! We are not talking about cars here.

Spare tyre health risk ignored - Active Fat campaigners
A wider waistline carries health risks

People are blinkered to the health dangers of carrying excess weight around the waist, say experts.

Most people have no idea that their spare tyre or muffin top puts them at increased risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease, a poll of 2,085 shows.

In all, 97% of people were unaware of a link despite 71% of those surveyed saying they had an expanding waistline.

Three leading UK charities are launching a new Active Fat campaign to raise awareness of the dangers.

Excess weight around the middle generates oestrogen and excess chemicals in the stomach, which put people at higher risk of killer diseases.

Women are at risk of Type 2 diabetes and heart disease if their waist measures more than 80cm (31.5 inches) while men are at risk at more than 94cm (37 inches).

Dr Mike Knapton, of the British Heart Foundation charity which is working alongside Cancer Research UK and Diabetes UK, said: “That ‘harmless’ spare tyre around your waist is actually a major health hazard.

READ MORE AT BBC NEWS